2024 Betfred Derby
Run on Saturday, 1 June, 2024 as the Betfred Derby over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-olds; entire colts 9st 2lb, fillies 8st 13lb. 75 entries. Value to winner £882,407.60
1st CITY OF TROY Ryan Moore 3-1 Fav
2nd AMBIENT FRIENDLY Robert Havlin 9-2 2¾ lengths
3rd LOS ANGELES Wayne Lordan 6-1 3¼ lengths
Also ran: 4th Deira Mile (Jim Crowley) 14-1; Sayedaty Sadaty (Tom Marquand) 50-1; Dancing Gemini (Dylan Browne McMonagle) 8-1: Bellum Justum (Oisin Murphy) 16-1; Ancient Wisdom (William Buick) 6-1; Euphoric (Declan McDonogh) 33-1; Tabletalk (James Doyle) 100-1; Kamboo (Richard Kingscote) 80-1; God’s Window (Kieran Shoemark) 33-1; Macduff (Rossa Ryan) 14-1; Dallas Star (David Egan) 33-1 (tailed off); Mr Hamstead (Sean Levey) 80-1 (tailed off 93½ lengths behind the winner: Voyage (Pat Dobbs) 28-1 (unseated at start).
For those attending this years Betfred Derby, there was an absence of the protest groups that had threatened trouble the previous year. Moreover, with no Cup Final to contend with, the race returned to the more suitable time of 4.30. King Charles and Queen Camilla, having attended the day before to see their Oaks entry, Treasure run, were not present to see the Derby.
Now to the contenders:
City Of Troy, by the American Triple Crown winner, Justify, and rated Europe’s top two-year-old after his impressive victory in Newmarket’s Dewhurst Stakes, was a bitter disappointment in the 2,000 Guineas, starting the 4-6 favourite and finishing 9th of 11, beaten 17 lengths by Godolphin’s Notable Speech. In the run up to the Derby his price yo-yoed as punters searched for an alternative. The Gredley Families Ambient Friendly, provided that and was backed down on the day to 9-2, after an impressive victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Others in contention at 6-1 were Godolphin’s Ancient Wisdom, winner of the Doncaster Futurity, and Los Angeles, Aiden O’Brien’s second string, unbeaten in three runs.
Sixteen runners went to post and the commentators “The’re Off”, was met with a great cheer. Leaving the stalls, Voyage, drawn 16 of 16 stumbled and unseated Pat Dobbs. However, the early pace was not affected and was taken up by the O’Brien pair Euphoric and Los Angeles in an attempt to set the race up for City Of Troy, who from stall 1 settled in at the rear of the field.
Running down from the highest point to Tattenham Corner, Euphoric led from Los Angeles, Sayedaty Sadaty and Dallas Star, while taking the corner, City Of Troy was still only in mid-division. Ominously, three furlongs out, Ambient Friendly was seen cruising, while Ryan Moore searched for a gap off the rails.
Then, two furlongs out, taking the opportunity as the field spread out a little, Moore drove City Of Troy through a gap between his stable companions to join the leaders, momentarily sharing the lead with Ambient Friendly, who in the final duel proved no match for City Of Troy, who went on to win by 2¾ lengths. Los Angeles, a further 3¼ lengths adrift ran an honorable third, while Deira Mile snatched fourth in the final strides.
This was Aidan O’Brien’s record tenth Derby winner and Mrs John (Sue) Magnier and Michael Tabor’s 11th in partnership. It was also Ryan Moore’s fourth Derby winner following Auguste Rodin (2023), Ruler Of The World (2013) and Workforce (2010).
16 ran. Time 2min 38.32 sec
The winner was BRED by Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt. OWNED by Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith and TRAINED by A P O’Brien at Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
___________________________________________________________________________________
The winner, CITY OF TROY (b.c. 2021), has won 4 races from 5 starts: Barronstown Stud EBF (C & F) Maiden, The Curragh, Bet365 Superlative Stakes, and Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Betfred Derby Stakes, Epsom.
The sire, JUSTIFY (ch.c.2015), ex STAGE MAGIC by GHOSTZAPPER, won 5 races from 6 starts incl. Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Preakness, Pimlico, Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park.
The dam, TOGETHER FOREVER (b.f.2012), by GALILEO ex GREEN ROOM by THEATRICAL, won 3 races incl Dubai Fillies Mile, Newmarket and has bred 4 other winners.
________________________________________________________________________________
For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale.
To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael